The Process of Oncology Nurse Practitioner Patient Navigation: A Pilot Study

Oncology nurse practitioner (ONP) patient navigators may improve clinical outcomes. However, no standard measures of the process of oncology patient navigation or of related clinical outcomes exist, and research in this area is limited. The exploratory pilot study detailed in this article used grounded theory and interviews with three ONPs to define the processes employed by ONP patient navigators in caring for patients with cancer.

At a Glance

• In general, oncology nurse practitioner (ONP) navigation has been shown to achieve high-quality, cost-effective care.
• ONPs use unique navigation processes, including fielding telephone calls, providing support, coordinating care, and tracking.
• Additional research involving larger samples is needed to validate the processes used by ONPs when navigating care for patients with cancer.